So, I started my trip with a wobble in the front end of my motorcycle. I have pretty much decided, after experimenting with repacking, that I am carrying too much weight in the rear and need to change the dynamics or lighten the load. Needless to say, every day that passes and I watch my toothpaste … [Read more...]

Jaz and I headed out of Anchorage with Southeast Alaska on our mind. Two countries, two boats, and roughly 1800 miles (boat and road) over a week and two weekends – this should be exciting!
No sooner did I get on the freeway before I discovered I had an incredibly frightening wobble in my front … [Read more...]

Our trip to Nome, Alaska could not be complete without a trip to the top of Anvil Mountain to see White Alice. On a clear day, towering above Nome you can see several creepy towers that remind me of the fins on the alien spacecraft that parked on the ocean flow in the movie, The … [Read more...]

Today was an interesting day. We swapped out the Jeep for a large, ¾ ton Dodge Pickup – newer truck with better tires. Michael walked out and put our gear in the truck and closed the door. The rear window of the truck exploded. Now, I know you are all saying that Michael slammed the door too hard, … [Read more...]

We got up bright and early from our night at the Dredge No. 7 Inn. A dredge is a piece of equipment that sits on water and processes sand and rock for gold. The historic dredges were very large – they almost looked like hotels with large mechanical appendages on both the front and rear. Today, there … [Read more...]

You can’t be a Wandering Alaskan if you don’t wander. In addition, I really should wander in my home state a lot more before I wander outside. I have done pretty well in the last 24 years, managing to wander in almost every nook and cranny this great state has to offer. There are only a few places … [Read more...]

We woke up in Torrey and mingled with the travelers. It turns out this little secret is getting out to everyone but the locals. We chatted with some folks that came in from New York to visit Hell’s Backbone Grill, and a couple from Colorado that were doing the red rock tour.
Snow was … [Read more...]

And we are off!
We pulled out of Grantsville and headed over to Tooele and then turned south. Stopped for coffee at Vernon and then crossed over the hills into Eureka. Gene and Arlene were leading the way, and I was second, with Michael bringing up the rear. All of a sudden, I see a … [Read more...]

We all met in LA over a period of 24 hours. The group consisted of Ryan and Tate, a younger couple from Portland, Marla – also from Portland, myself, and Bonita from Austin. Marla, Bonita, and I go back decades, but this was really the first time I have spent any time around the “boys.” I have … [Read more...]

(A post-trip blog: the Denali Highway, Alaska)
I love Talkeetna. It is such a quirky Alaskan town. Aside from having a cat for a mayor, good taste in beer, and priorities consistent with mountain climbing, the people just know how to enjoy life. I have always thought if someone wanted to get a … [Read more...]